Houston Rockets @ Memphis Grizzlies – Dec. 30, 2011 7:00PM

The gist: The Rockets are on the second night of their back-to-back to back. The Grizzlies have a day’s rest in between their home game against the Thunder.

Key matchup: Kyle Lowry vs Mike Conley, Jr.

Two former teammates will be right in each other’s grill in a match that might be very well determined with how true they stick to the coach’s playbook. Lowry will have a slight edge as his reputation has him on the fringes of being a top 10 PG in the league, if he is not already there. Conley has some catching up to do.

X-factor: Samuel Dalembert

With Luis Scola a defensive liability, Dalembert will be accountable to cover the Grizzlies’ lethal bigs and limit their production.

Code Red: After failing to nab Marc Gasol in the offseason, the big man will be out to prove that he is worth every penny of the four-year, $55 million max contract that Houston offered him. Rudy Gay will have a barnburner of a night if Chase Budinger and Marcus Morris slack off.